One of the Best Moments of my Life!

You know how you have those moments you just want to bottle up and never forget? I had one of those moments on Thanksgiving! It was (hands down) one of my favorite Mommy moments...ever! Absolutely awesome!

We put our tree up Wed. night and while it was happy for the kids, I felt the lump in my throat beginning to form. The reality that my Daddy was not longer with us became all new again. I shed a few tears after the kids went to bed and got up the next morning feeling much the same way. I knew that we had big surprises in store for that evening, but I had to get to that point.

I walked in at my mother's and everybody was all a buzz and when all got quiet and Jamie began to pray for our food, but also added that we rejoiced that 'David' was in heaven but to please be with us as we miss him greatly during the holidays, we were all crying. I just missed him so badly these past couple of weeks!

We also saved one of the best surprises we've ever given the kids on that day. I did that with the intention of taking the sting out and I know that my day ended a lot happier than it began. God gave us a litter of puppies just a few weeks after Daddy died from Daddy's dog. My Dad always had a dog. He loved them so much and animals were always such a huge part of my life. We had many dogs, a couple of cats, chickens, ducks, birds, a horse, a pig, a cow, fish, rabbits...I promise my Dad was not Old MacDonald! We've just never been in a good 'place' to add an animal to our family, so we didn't. God's timing is always perfect though and sitting beside me right at this moment is a little black and white blessing!

We wrapped the crate and turned it into the room backwards with Gigi inside. The kids even named Gigi weeks ago thinking she was going to stay with my Mother. Gigi, of course, named after "G-Daddy" and such a cute little name for a pup. When they discovered that Gigi was a Hughes doggie, I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. They were so surprised and so happy that it just made a very hard day so joyous! Micah was in total disbelief, but the smiles on their faces were priceless as is this sweet little puppy! She has been a God send during a very difficult time. God knows just what we need when we need it, I suppose and I needed her! She has been a wonderful asset to our family already. I can't wait to make many memories with her.

And as Abbi wrote in her journal this morning, "Beat that Santa!" Yea, it won't ever top this, but that is OK;-)

Jamie bringing the gift in:

The kids wondering why they have a gift on Thanksgiving:

And the family photo: